Chapter 2: Heroes of the Republic

Anthony awoke to the sound of alarms. 'Ugh my head.' he thought. Rubbing his forehead, he turned around to check on his friends, but only saw Lorenc and Chris. 'What the hell, where is everyone?' He got up from his seat, stumbled to the hull of the ship and found no one. All he found was a strap from Andrew's bag.

"No." cried Anthony as he fell to his knees. He held the strap in his hands looking at it as his eyes started to tear up. Reality hit him like a bullet. He didn't care where he was, didn't care about the alarm, all he thought was that his brother and most of his friends were dead because of his actions.... He killed his friends.

"Bro, wake up." Chris said, as he shook Lorenc.

Lorenc's eyes opened slowly as he said, "Alright. Alright. I'm up." he looked up at Chris with a concerned look on his face. "What?" he asked.

Chris trying to avoid his stare, Lorenc became aware of his situation. "Chris, where is everyone? Where are we? Are we the only ones?" Chris closed his eyes holding back tears. He pointed to Anthony who was sitting against the wall, crying holding a strap from Andrew's backpack.

"Oh no." said Lorenc as he and Chris walked over to Anthony.

"Hey Ant, how you feelin-" started Lorenc but was interrupted by Anthony.

"I KILLED THEM. I KILLED THEM ALL!" he screamed, "They died because I was a selfish idiot."

"It's not your fault." said Chris, trying to collect himself. "It was our choice."

"Chris is right and you have all the reason to mourn them, but right now we need your help to figure out where we are." said Lorenc.

Wiping the tears off his face, still holding the strap, Anthony gets up slowly. He realized that he could save his last two friends. Walking over to the control panel, pocketing the strap, he looked at all the buttons and flashing lights. Pushing a few buttons, he said, "Well the engines are fried and the steering is gone. Oxygen level is at fifty percent, but for the most part the ship is fine."

"What about where we are?" asked Chris.

"No idea." responded Anthony, his eyes still red from crying.

"Hey guys, look at this." called Lorenc as he pointed out the windshield. He pointed to a planet with lights bright enough to see from where they were stuck in space.

"That's not earth." claimed Chris.

"There are so many people," said Anthony, recognizing the planet but can't remember where he has seen it before.

"How do you know that?" asked Lorenc.

"I don't know how, but I can feel every living being down there, like I am connected to them." explained Anthony.

"That's great and all, but where are we?" complained Chris, "That planet looks like it is from Star Wars."

"That's because it is." exclaimed Anthony as he remembered the planet. "That planet is Coruscant."

"Coru-what?" asked Chris

"How is that even possible?" exclaimed Lorenc.

Anthony's mind was rushed with thoughts as Lorenc and Chris still tried to figure out their situation. 'How is this even possible?' he thought, rehashing what Lorenc had just said. A tingling feeling came through his body, 'Something is about to happen.' A huge space ship appeared out of nowhere and was right in front of them.

"What the hell!" Lorenc screamed, frightened by the ship's sudden appearance.

Still confused about how he knew that was coming, Anthony recognized the ship. "That is a Republic Cruiser! It just finished the jump through hyperspace!" he exclaimed, "We're in Star Wars during the clone wars."

Then Anthony realized how he knew that the cruiser was going to come out of hyperspace. He cleared his mind and reached out with his hand. He sensed a powerful presence on the ship in front of them and knew exactly who it was. "Lorenc, answer that transmission and say that this is Tesla 1, we need help and we must speak to Anakin Skywalker." ordered Anthony.

"Anakin Skywalker? Transmission? What are you talking abo-" asked Lorenc but was interrupted.

"Attention. This is Admiral Yularen of the Republic Navy. You have entered a restricted area. Please identify yourself."

Shocked at what Anthony had predicted, both Chris and Lorenc turned to him. Boxes and little nuts and bolts had started to lift around Anthony. Chris was the first to realize and shouted, "YOU HAVE THE FORCE!" Letting out a small smile he let everything drop. Lorenc was speechless to everything he just saw.

"Repeat. You have entered a restricted area. Please identify yourself." said the voice over the com.

"Oh right." said Lorenc as he rushed over to the panel. "This is Tesla 1. Our engines and steering are damaged and are in need of assistance. We must speak to Anakin Skywalker."

There was a long silence and Lorenc began to worry. "Is this going to work?" he said as he looked to Anthony for the answer. He responded with a nod. Looking at his friend, Lorenc noticed that he changed. Anthony looked more serious and more calm, but his eyes were still red from crying before.

"We will give you assistance. Stand by for tractor beam." said voice over the com.

The ship started to be dragged closer to the Cruiser. Chris looked to Anthony and asked, "Ant, are you sure about this. How do you know 'Anakin Skywalker' is on that ship and doesn't he turn into Darth Vader?"

"I can sense Anakin on the Cruiser, but depending on the clones that meet us in the hangar I will know how close he is to turn to the darkside." responded Anthony as their ship entered the hangar of the Cruiser. "Follow my lead," he stated, "And let me do the talking." Both Chris and Lorenc nodded as they walked to the hull of the ship as the ramp started to lower.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Chris

"I am sure about this. And for Anakin turning to the Dark Side, hopefully we entered this universe at the right time." answered Anthony. The three walked down the ramp of their ship and saw two Clone Troopers waiting to meet them. "I know these two." he whispered to Chris and Lorenc.

The Clones turned and commanded the three to follow them. They walked through the hangar of the Republic Cruiser and saw a bunch of clones running around doing their duties. Anthony was in awe at the sight of the inside of the ship as they exited the hangar and made their way down the corridor.

"How? They all sound the same let alone look the same?" hissed Chris as they were escorted through the corridors.

"I can tell by their markings on their armor and to me, I can feel their differences." replied Anthony.

"Through the Force." said Lorenc, understanding what Anthony had said.

"Hey, quite back there." Ordered one of the clones.

"Sorry, Fives." apologized Anthony but instantly regretting it.

Shocked Fives turned around quickly and grabbed Anthony restraining him. The clone trooper with him, Echo, did the same to Chris and Lorenc.

"How do you know my name!?" questioned Fives pointing a gun at Anthony's head.

"Woah! Woah! Chill." struggled Anthony.

"Follow your lead, you said." annoyingly complained Chris pinned under Echo.

Further down the corridor Ahsoka was walking to the bridge with Captain Rex. She turned to see the commotion and ran over to help with Rex at her side. Rex jumped in to help Echo with Chris and Lorenc. She went over to Fives asking, "Fives, what's going on? Who are they?"

"They just came off the ship we pulled in with the tractor beam. They know my name, Commander." reported Fives

"It's true." confessed Anthony, "I know all your names. I know alot about each one of you."

Pondering on the situation, Ahsoka looked through the Force and sensed some fear and sadness but bravery and courage in both Lorenc and Chris. For Anthony she sensed no fear in him and that the Force was strong with him, but she mainly sensed pain and sadness in him. 'What have you been through?' she thought, feeling bad for the three. "Let's bring them to Anakin. He will make better sense of this." She ordered.

They walked onto the bridge to see Anakin talking with Admiral Yularen. He turned around to see Rex, Fives, and Echo restraining the three. "I see you made some friends." Anakin said sarcastically to Ahsoka.

She rolled her eyes at her master's remmark. "This one claims he knows the clones names and even mine, even though I or the clones have never seen him before." She stated as she pointed at Anthony.

"So they're spies." said Anakin trying to figure out who they are.

"We aren't spies." corrected Chris with some anger.

"Anakin, for starters it is an honor to meet you. It is an honor to meet all in fact, but please excuse my friends… we have been through a lot recently." said Anthony with some sadness in his voice.

"To be fair, I didn't expect to be treated like this." said Lorenc with a sarcastic tone, struggling in his cuffs. "I thought they were heroes?"

Getting a little frustrated by Lorenc's tone, Anakin stated with some anger, "You are restrained because for all we know you're enemies to the Republic! So now I ask, who are you!?"

"My name is Anthony, that's Lorenc and Chris. There were more of us but…" said Anthony tearing up at the end. Both Chris and Lorenc hung their heads in sadness.

"But what?" asked Ahsoka knowing she was on the verge of finding the answer to what she sensed before.

Not answering, Chris spoke for Anthony. "They died." he sighed, "We aren't spies either. He knows your names because we're not from here." Both Anakin and Ahsoka felt sadness in the three boys. Anakin felt it more than his padawan, as he knows what it is like to lose people that you are close with.

"Not from here?" questioned Rex, "So you're from the Outer Rim?"

"We are not from any Rim." answered Anthony, "We are not from this galaxy."

Fives and Echo looked at each other with confusion. Rex had his hand on his chin, trying to grasp what Anthony had just said. Anakin broke the silence and said, "Alright, that's just crazy. I don't believe you and that doesn't explain how you know who we are."

"Where we come from you guys are...fictional characters." explained Anthony. "I have grown up reading and watching shows about you. Each one of you has thousands of people who adore you and would kill to be in my position. They would do anything to meet you."

Shaking her head, Ahsoka looks at Anakin. "I agree with you, Master. These guys are crazy."

"What if I tell you something only you would know?" Asked Anthony as he jeschered to Anakin, with some concern in his voice. Anakin looked a little afraid of what Anthony may know, but non the less he was curious. He asked Admiral Yularen, Echo, and Fives to leave the bridge. Rex and Ahsoka were asked to stay as Anakin had some idea of what the young man had to say.

Once the bridge cleared, Anthony began. "Master Skywalker, what I am about to tell you is a secret to many people and only a few know." he said as he looked at Ahsoka and Rex. Anthony took a deep breath, calming his mind. 'If only Andrew was here to see this.' he thought. "Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight, General of The Republic, and Husband to Senator Padme Amidala."

Rex in shock spoke first. "How did they get that information?" he asked, still believing they are some sort of spies.

"Yah." agreed Ahsoka. She too still believed that they were spies, but sensed good in each one of them.

Anakin said nothing to the three. He turned around and called The Admiral back in and told him to personally see that Anthony, Chris, and Lorenc made it to the detention level. Once they had left he spoke. "You sense the Force in that one." he said referring to Anthony.

"Yes, I was wondering if you noticed." answered Ahsoka with a nod.

"With all do respect, Sir." started Rex, "How does the Force allow him to know about you and Senator Amidala. If that is true, then why haven't the other Jedi mentioned it."

"I don't think he knows it through the Force." replied Anakin.

"Don't tell me you actually believe him, Master. That is your most sacred secret." exclaimed Ahsoka. "It is not good that the separatists have spies like this."

"Well, I don't think they are separatists and how did you find out about that. I never told you about Padme and I." Anakin said to his padawan. She looked away from him avoiding the question.

"So what do we do? If they are telling the truth, we can't let them fall into the hands of the separatists?" asked Rex.

"I am going to contact The Council. Let's see what they have to say about this." answered Anakin. Ahsoka and Rex nodded and left the Bridge to prepare for landing. Anakin stayed on the Bridge and contacted the Jedi Council. Obi Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master answered the transmission.

"Anakin!" he said shockingly but then realized Anakin is in trouble somehow, "What did you do now."

"I did nothing this time." replied Anakin.

"So why did you call me?"

"Well, when we came out of hyperspace, we found a ship in a restricted area."

"Don't tell me you made another enemy, Anakin. We don't need more systems joining the separatists because of your actions."

"Hey!"

"Continue, Anakin."

"Right. So anyway, the ship was damaged and was in need of repairs. There were three lifeforms on the ship."

"And did you help them?"

Anakin responded with a nod and continued to relay the story to Obi Wan. As Anakin got to the part of how Anthony, Chris, and Lorenc were from another galaxy, Obi Wan had a confused look on his face and put his hand to his bearded chin. Eventually Anakin finished the story, but he excluded the part of how Anthony knew about Padme.

"Well Anakin, I suggest you bring them in front of the council. I am sure they will have many questions. And the one that is Force-sensitive should be trained how to hone his abilities. Let's hope Master Yoda doesn't think he is too old to be trained." said Obi Wan.

"Well he said the same for me and look how I turned out." claimed Anakin.

"That's what I am afraid of." joked Obi Wan.

"Hey, I'm a great Je-" started Anakin, but Obi Wan had Already cut off the transmission. He just smiled to himself and walked off of the Bridge to prepare for landing.

The Jedi Temple was everything that Anthony dreamed it would be. To see all the Jedi was incredible to him. He looked around the hallways as he, Chris, and Lorenc walked to the Council room. 'This is beautiful. I can't believe I am here." he thought.

"Ant." hissed Chris.

"What?" he responded, a little annoyed that he was taken out of his trance.

"What is the plan?" asked Lorenc.

"Just follow my lead and let me do the talking." answered Anthony.

"Last time we followed your lead this happened." said Chris, shaking his cuffed hands in front of Anthony.

"Don't worry, I got this." said Anthony with a smirk of confidence.

Led by Anakin and Ahsoka, they made their way to the council room. They exited out of the elevator and walked to the door of the meeting room. Anthony felt the presence of all the Jedi in the room. He was overwhelmed with excitement to see all of them in person, even those he didn't particularly like.

As Anakin led them into the Council room, Anthony was about to scream at the top of his lungs. Yoda, Mace Windu, Obi Wan Kenobi, Plo Koon, Kit Fisto. All of the Jedi he grew up watching, were all sitting in front of him. He walked to the center of the room by instinct and Lorenc and Chris followed behind him.

Each one of the three had their eyes looking around the room, at the faces of the Jedi, and out the window of the world outside. Their attention was brought to Yoda as he began to speak. "Greetings, young ones."

"Greetings members of the Council. It is an Honor to meet you all." replied Anthony as he bowed. "My name is Anthony and this is Lorenc and Chris."

"Skywalker has told us much about you." said Mace Windu, "We have the understanding you are not from here."

"Yes Master. It is a long story." answered Anthony.

"One that I think you don't want to retell again." suggested Obi Wan.

Anthony responded with a slow nod. The events that happened only hours ago, started to replay in his head again. He saw the faces of his friends in front of him. They were all darkened, they all looked dead. Each one stared at him, with white, cold eyes and they all said one word. Why? 'I am sorry…' he thought, shutting his eyes to hold back the tears. Anthony felt a hand on each of his shoulders. He knew who they belonged to. They belonged to the last of his family.

The room had an awkward silence. Each council member sensed the sadness and each one waited for another to break the silence. Master Plo broke it. "I am sorry for your losses, young ones."

"Thank you." responded Chris with his hand still on Anthony's shoulder.

"Young Skywalker says that you have great knowledge of our galaxy. Knowledge of the past, present, and future." stated Master Ki Adi Mundi.

"Yes, that is true." assured Anthony.

"Powerful knowledge, that is. Dangerous it can be." said Yoda.

"We can't let you fall into the hands of the Separatists. You have become powerful assets to the Republic." claimed Master Windu.

Anthony was a little agitated at Windu's remark and it only reminded him of Windu's respect for people vitale to the war, that aren't Jedi. He and his friends are not assets, they are people, living beings. Anthony tried to conceal his frustration. It worked verbally but Obi Wan noticed the clenching of his fist.

"I believe we should discuss this in private now." said Obi Wan, saving the three from further displeasure. Turning to the three. "If you please?"

Anthony bowed, thanked the Masters, and left the room to meet Anakin and Ahsoka. Lorenc and Chris copied him quickly and left the room as well. "Let's wait down stairs." suggested Anakin.

As the door closed Master Yoda sighed. "Confliction in them I sense."

"Can we trust that they are telling the truth? We should have them saying something that is going to happen soon and see if it comes true." said Ki Adi Mundi.

"I don't think that is a good idea." said Plo Koon.

"I agree with Master Plo. If we reveal the future it may not come true and may alter something we don't want to be tampered with." explained Windu, "But I agree with Master Mundi. How can we trust them, let alone what they know?"

"Anakin trusts them." claimed Obi Wan, "Then again that may not be a good thing." Chuckling a little.

The members of the council continued to bicker with each other on the fate of the three young men. Each one had their own idea and had a counter argument to another's. Yoda was offly quiet about the situation, barely even saying a word. Finally tired of the bickering Jedi Master Shaak Ti spoke. "Master Yoda, you have been too quiet about this. What is your opinion?"

"Keep them safe I agree. Stay with us they will." said Yoda, deciding their fate.

"But we can't have civilians roaming around in the Temple." argued Windu.

"Trained the boy will be. One of us he will become." replied Yoda.

"What about the other two?" asked Master Mundi.

"Trained to fight they will be. Captain Rex and the 501st teach them they will." answered Yoda.

"And who will be the boy's Master?" asked Shaak Ti.

"I suggest Anakin." suggested Obi Wan, "It is clear that Anakin trusts him well."

"Agree with Obi Wan I do." claimed Yoda, "Against the code it is but unorthodox Skywalker's training was. Unorthodox Skywalker's trails were. Unorthodox his teachings will be."

"I will go tell them the news." said Master Plo getting up and heading toward the door.

"I will join you." said Obi Wan getting up as well.

Anakin's mind was conflicted. He was still confused about what Anthony had said. There was a little anger towards him because he knew about Anakin's secret love. Yet the anger was out-shined by Anthony's good intentions that Anakin sensed within the person he had just met. He looked over at Anthony. He and his friends were in awe at the beauty of the Temple.

"I still don't trust him." claimed Ahsoka who was standing next to Anakin looking at the same sight he saw.

"I hate to say it but I trust him." Anakin replied.

"How!? It doesn't make sense how some 'kid' shows up and knows your biggest secret."

"He is about the same age as you, Snips." Anakin wanted to change the subject of his love life. He didn't want anyone else to know, especially in the Jedi Temple.

"What do you think the council will do with them?" asked Ahsoka.

"I think we are about to find out." answered Anakin as he saw Obi Wan and Plo Koon walking to them.

"Everyone if you please, we have the verdict of the Council." called Obi Wan to get the attention of Anakin, Ahsoka, and the three Comrades.

"The Council has decided that you will stay with us." explained Master Plo, now turned to Chris and Lorenc. "You two will be trained by Captain Rex and become members of the 501st."

"And for you, Young One. You will become a Jedi." said Obi Wan to Anthony.

Anthony was speechless. He just stood there with his mouth open. Chris and Lorenc were a little confused on what was happening. They did however understand that their friend was becoming a Jedi. They clapped his back with praise, happy for their friend.

"I am guessing you will be his master?" Anakin asked Obi Wan.

"Actually you are." replied Obi Wan, with a smile

"What?!" exclaimed Ahsoka, "I am his padawan. I thought a Jedi could only have one."

"These are strange times, Little Soka." explained Plo Koon as she grumbled.

"So what you're saying is that my friends and I get to hang out with two of the coolest Jedi and the coolest clones." exclaimed Anthony.

"Well I wouldn't say the coolest, but in a word… yes." said Obi Wan.

"Woo!" cheered Anthony. He was pumping his fists in the air and was doing a little dance.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes at his goofiness. "Hate to break this up, but where are they going to stay?"

"Well Chris and Lorenc will stay at the barracks, here on Coruscant," explained Obi Wan, "And Anthony, well he will have to bunk with you."

Anthony cleared his throat and scratched the back of his head. He was clearly embarrassed about what was just commanded by Obi Wan. Ahsoka was shocked on the other hand.

"WHAT!?" she screamed, "How is this fair? First I have to share my master, now my room. What's next, I have to share my lightsabers?"

"No, that would be crazy." chuckled Obi Wan.

"You have much to talk about." said Master Plo to Anakin, as he and Obi Wan turned and walked away.

Ahsoka stood there with her mouth open in shock that the Jedi just walked away. She turned and saw Anthony and his friends. Anger started to boil inside her. She wanted to go punch him in the face. She was about to walk over but then she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Anakin, who had a smile on his face. The smile on his face started to calm her down.

"If it means anything, I like him." said Anakin, feeling the anger in his young padawan pass.

"You know that means nothing." responded Ahsoka with a laugh.

"Well it is getting late and I should bring those two to Rex." said Anakin. He called for Lorenc and Chris to follow him. "I trust you can show him to his room."

"You mean my room." she fired back.

"Good luck, Snips." said Anakin as he started to walk away, "And try to be optimistic."

"I will, Master." Ahsoka waved goodbye and turned to her new roommate. He too was waving goodbye to his friends.

Once he noticed Ahsoka looking at him, his face turned red and he cleared his throat out of embarrassment. 'God she is more beautiful in person.' he thought. Anthony opened his mouth to say something but Ahsoka stopped him before he even started.

"Listen Sleemo, I don't like this in the first place and I don't like you either. But it appears there is no other way. So I say we agree to respect each other's personal space and don't bother each other." stated Ahsoka sternly.

"Sleemo! I agree with you… Head Tails." exclaimed Anthony, as he tried to think of a clever insult to get back at Ahsoka, "But you don't have to be rude about it."

Ahsoka just turned around with a flustered look on her face. She waved her arm for Anthony to follow. He just smiled to himself and ran up next to her.